WHO chief warns progress against famine in Gaza remains fragile, urges urgent approval of medical supplies amid ongoing crisis
ISTANBUL: The head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) warned on Sunday that progress against famine in Gaza remains “extremely fragile” after the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) reported that no areas in Gaza are currently classified as facing famine, Anadolu Ajansi reported.
“This welcome progress remains extremely fragile as the population continues to struggle with massive infrastructure destruction, collapsed livelihoods and local food production, and restrictions to humanitarian operations,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus wrote on X.
Tedros noted that more than 100,000 children and 37,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women are still projected to suffer acute malnutrition through April next year, while only 50 per cent of Gaza’s health facilities are partially functional and facing shortages of essential supplies and equipment.
“To scale up life-saving services and expand access to care, WHO calls for the urgent and expedited approval and entry of essential medical supplies, equipment and prefabricated hospital structures,” he said.
According to the latest IPC report, no areas in Gaza are currently classified as facing famine following a ceasefire signed in October.
While recent developments amid the fragile ceasefire, including a proposed peace plan and improved food inflows, have helped ease the most extreme conditions, the IPC warned that the outlook remains grave.
Tedros also said he was “encouraged” by reports that Sudanese health workers detained in South Darfur had been freed.
“It is imperative that all captive healthcare providers and civilians be released. At this critical time, doctors and other health workers are needed more than ever to deliver essential services to populations in need. Health should never be a target,” he underscored.
The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan released nine medical workers from detention in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur state, out of a total of 73 health workers still being held, a local medical group said on Saturday.- BERNAMA-ANADOLU
